An Albury man has narrowly avoided jail for hurling a shopping trolley at a car as a woman and her sleeping son sat inside.
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The incident happened at Goulburn as Clem Oliver John Edwards was making his way back to Albury.
He had just been released from Goulburn jail after serving the minimum 10 months of an 18-month sentence on charges related to a police pursuit in North Albury.
Albury Local Court magistrate Tony Murray gave Edwards another four months’ jail on Tuesday, though suspended this for four months.
He warned Edwards that even minor breaches during this period would land him back in jail.
He was adamant that Edwards abide by all directions, especially over treatment he required for his mental health issues.
Mr Murray said he had been dealing with Edwards “for quite a long period of time” and so was well aware of his problems.
Edwards, 26, of Cahill Street, pleaded guilty to maliciously destroy or damage property.
The charge related to an incident on May 9 about 8pm after the victim and her partner parked their car outside the Goulburn Plaza in Auburn Street.
Her partner got out of the car while she stayed with their young son, who was asleep in the back.
A car pulled in beside them and the occupants, a young man and woman, got out and went into the plaza.
The victim saw Edwards go into a liquor store and then a few minutes later watched as he got into an argument with the young woman.
She looked on as Edwards downed a soft drink before throwing the empty bottle at the other couple’s car windscreen.
The other woman asked him “why did you do do that?” Edwards replied with “have a go”.
Edwards then went and got a shopping trolley and flung it towards the other couple’s car.
But instead it smashed into the victim’s car, causing $1200 damage to a front left panel above the wheel arch and the front passenger door.
Mr Murray said Edwards had received jail terms for similar offences in the past.
Edwards’ solicitor said he had “significant” and “complex” mental health issues.